I am a racist!

[freeranger]

So...

...I have just been informed that one of my images has been pulled from a website and printed publication because it is racist.

Apparently, in the dark times of South Africa's apartheid regime one of the tests to decide if a person was black, white or coloured was to place a pencil in their hair to see if it would hold fast or slip free.

This photo is of a child having a laugh with a group of multi-racial friends. Although the boy is not from South Africa, he clearly has pencils in his hair and so I am clearly a racist scum-bag. 🙁

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[.ken]

OMG. Political correctness is a bitch.

 

[kshapero]

I personally would not call you a racist, maybe a pencilist.

 

[Tuolumne]

F&%k political correctness.

/T

 

[maelswarm]

Your photo looks like a stock-type photo. Be careful of political correctness, your intentions might be misinterpreted.

Check out this major ad that was pulled and the CEO had to make a public apology:

And I don't think they are calling you a racist, you are probably exaggerating. In the end the image would harm THEM not YOU so just be more sensitive next time you do stock work.

 

[Nh3]

They didn't said you're racist, they said your image has racist connotation because of south African history.

So, stop with the drama and be glad that you learned something. this is no big deal.

 

[Spider67]

....sometimes it's a minefield. But if the people who are marketing your photograph are afraid to get problems it's up to them.
Nevertheless I like it.
Greetings from Vienna Des

 

[jmarcus]

Cool picture

 

[brachal]

It's a great picture. People are much too sensitive, IMHO.

 

[maelswarm]

Meh. I just see kids having fun.

And what's with the Intel ad?

This PC crap is going too far, sometimes.

Clearly it wasn't obvious to the marketing team who designed the ad either: several black men kneeling down to a white man/overlord? Sure they're trying to imply having lots of speed at your fingertips, but this isn't the best way to go about it lol

 

[photo4ls]

What Nh3 said. 🙁

 

[Nikon Bob]

Clearly, for somebody not familiar with with the "test" your photo has no racial overtones. It had none for me or my wife and I suspect not for a great majority of people. As you say it is of a bunch of kids goofing around and having fun. It just shows how easy it is to unintentionally insult someone who reads more into a photo than was originally intended. The context in which a photo was presented and the viewers personal life experience have a great deal to due with how that viewer sees the photo. Personally I don't see you as a racist scum-bag for having taken that photo but I am far from everyone. Yea, Political Correctness can be a bitch to deal with.

Bob

 

[dazedgonebye]

As a bald man, I find it offensive in that it highlights my own inability to put pencils, or anything else, in my hair.

 

[sojournerphoto]

Problem with political correctness is ulitmately the same as that of racism. both treat people as amorphous and not as individuals enagged in friendships.

The major difference is that PC at least tries to achieve something good, even thogh it overwhelmingly fails due to the above.

Nice picture - not one I saw as racist, but then kids are quite able to celebrate their differences.

Mike

 

[Gumby]

I can't see the piture, but wanted to try out that test. I have littel hair om y head but qwyuite a bit in my ears. I now have a pencil stuck in my ear. Somebody... please help... what do I do next?

EDIT: please type in caps... I can'not hear very well right now.

 

[csg]

Nice Photo

Nice Photo

I think its a nice photo. Lots of kids smiling, having fun. The multi-colored pencils liven it up. But regardless of what any one says, any reasonable photo that provokes a reaction and discussion is good thing. That was art and communication is about, no?

 

[italy74]

Politically correct is 99% hypocrisy. It's just a "soft" way to tell others "I don't care nor like what you think but I can't tell you".
There are political forces who support women and at the same time also countries where women aren't considered at all. But you can't talk about those countries since you have to respect their laws. So ????
By the way, one of the girls in the frame is the same of your avatar or am I wrong?

 

[xayraa33]

When is conked hair going make a come back?

Muddy Waters and Sam Lighting Hopkins looked so cool with conked hair styles.

 

[Nikon Bob]

Problem with political correctness is ulitmately the same as that of racism. both treat people as amorphous and not as individuals enagged in friendships.

The major difference is that PC at least tries to achieve something good, even thogh it overwhelmingly fails due to the above.

Nice picture - not one I saw as racist, but then kids are quite able to celebrate their differences.

Mike

I really agree with your statement on PC. One size fits all solutions rarely if ever work and generally create more ill feelings than they cure.

Bob

 

[FrankS]

Any racism in that picture is inferred rather than implied.